The Strong Man Stumbles

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat. - Theodore Roosevelt

"It's not nice to do to well"?

If it's the same Randy Byers I've run into (a real nice guy, graying goatee beard, does clinics, is a Josh/John Lyons certified trainer) then he's a ****ed good trainer.

If it's the same person, I would tend to chalk up any bad reviews to someone who didn't follow through with or didn't learn to follow through and reinforce/maintain what the trainer taught the person to do with their horse. Then there's the cases where other trainers try to drum up business by casting aspersions on their competition. Who was it, Joseph Campbell who said, "It's not nice to do to well"?

I wouldn't let one bad review affect any decision. If you like the trainer and he does good work, then hang onto that trainer or go with him.

Lor Myers When you worked Xerxes the first few times, that was a break through point for him. We really needed to get over the hump of Xerxes being a GREEN horse into a horse that is actually working properly. We really needed that so we could start progressing.

We did a month of full training then a month of part training with Marci Case-Brown which was really good for him. He used to be rushy, inconsistant, hollow and as we trained he became softer, more rythmical, rounder and more responsive to the leg where as before I'd have to dig in my spur to get him to move one step over.

I have been pretty busy this late summer/fall and haven't got in a lot of rides at home, but that's okay. I am a serious rider as in when I ride I want to ride properly and end up at the highest level possible. But I am not into riding consistantly every day and showing. The most important thing for me is taking care of my 4 horses (+ 30 other animals) and just spending time with them, bonding, hanging out together. I think once I get my fencing up (we only have a big temporary round pen) I'll be able to get more organized and ride more.

Randy Byers Horsemanship That is a great story Lor. Do you have any advise to give others that may help them with their partnerships?

Lor Myers I actually think EVERYONE should do join up with their horse. I myself have never purchased a horse that I have not achieved join up with. The most important thing in your relationship with your horse - IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH THEM! =) Love comes before talent, conformation and breeding. When you have the best partnership, you can go far. I believe you have a great relationship with Carbon and that is why you've gotten to where you are today.

Randy Byers Horsemanship I agree. If you want to succeed with horses, you need to be a leader and have join up so you can change the horse's concept of you from a predictor to a partner. The other thing I wanted to comment on is that there are a lot of horses that are either hyper sensitive or really dull to the rider aids. We need to be affective with our aids. Lor Myers Not just who is in charge - the bond, the love.

Robison Ranch
Hi Randy, I have been watching your posts for a bit. They interest me because there is a common thread in horses and training. You also attract people who call you an abuser. As I gain more success and popularity in my community, I attract more critics too. A few women...

Elaine Ward replied to Neide C Cooley's discussion "Ontario, Canada WD Enthusiasts" on Western Dressage Association™ of America------------This weekend Randy Byers is conducting a WD clinic near Woodstock Ontario. Last night about 50 people were in attendance for a BBQ and Demonstration by both...

Lor Myers When you worked Xerxes the first few times, that was a break through point for him. We really needed to get over the hump of Xerxes being a GREEN horse into a horse that is actually working properly. We really needed that so we could start progressing.
We did a month of full training then a...

Nadine Spiker It is a dream job! I truly learned so much. thankful for the opportunity and wish I could stay but so glad I was able to help. Thank you Randy, you are a great guy to hang with and I'm glad we are friends.

Lisa wrote: "What is really cool about it is that its a meld of both dressage and western whereby you get the western horse who can stand quietly, not get easily spooked and have phenomal ground work combined with a connected dressage horse that is engaged and the body parts...

Carol Lewis Franklin
Hi Randy,I love seeing that huge smile on your face in the pictures from all the WD tests you and Carbon are doing.I have been watching a lot of HRTV and had people give me DVD's from different trainers to watch. I have to tell you that as I...

This is my awesome horse Lyric. He was a bucking bronco until Randy turned him around for me. Now he is my trustworthy partner. I support Randy as an outstanding trainer. I have known him for several years,I know many horses and people that he has worked with and have seen him give WAY more than he...

Dawne Shaughnessy-Mudford Dexter is a 5 year old Thoroughbred/Paint cross that came into my life just over a year ago. After owing and riding horses for 25 years I thought I could tackle a youngster.Wow was I in for a surprise.I love him with all my heart but I didn't get him to just use as a lawn...

Emmy Luepke This is a picture of myself on my horse: Celtic Smoking After Midnight, barn name: Smokey. We attended the Randy Byers Western Dressage clinic at Miller Stables in Tyler, MN. It was great! I have a lot of work to do, and change of tack, but I atleast have a place to start. I am really...

Thank you Randy for a great clinic and extravaganza! I didn't get to watch anywhere near as much as I would have liked, but I took away a lot of knowledge from the parts I did see. I really have a lot of respect for how you conduct your clinics and love the wealth of information and how you clarify your...

Randy, I am so impressed with your training meathods. But in my situation it would only be a forever dream.Your intelect & how you train people to be better horsemen/women. Not just help with the horse & walk away. People need to know what you do, before they walk away and just say "Randy Byers...

Candace Jasmine Ferrari: I love watching you and your refined style,You have inspired me to go beyond barrel racing, reined cowhorse and roping,.Thank God for trainers like you.. You and Carbon are fluidity in motion..

Sherri Patterson Wow, I personally love schooling shows and Topsider Farm is great. I did not have a chance to meet Randy or talk to him, but my husband and I were at this show and I can tell you that he has done a phenomenal job with Carbon. I can also tell you that there was silence at the show...

Kay Lodahl
Finally!! A trainer in Western Dressage. This is the most comprehensive information I have yet to find on this topic! Very well done, informative and inspiring.. Thank you for all you put into these videos...

Terri Lynn Jordan I checked into this. This would be a great opportunity for an up and coming trainer who needs to learn about dedication to the business and putting the horse first. I personally have "been there done that" with another person and it was a huge help in my awareness and a...

Stéphanie Lorette Thank you for the nice comments everyone! I absolutely adore this stallion! Randy, he's doing amazing! We rode with Marci Case-Brown this past weekend and had him in the double bridle, doing canter pirouettes!!!! We'll be posting video on our website later this week!...

I had a private lesson with Randy Byers and in two hours he managed to get my mare on the vertical and softer than ever, I've been working towards this goal for over 2 years with my regular trainer but my mare has never been consistant.Has anyone ever sent a horse to him for training? I...

Greta Liubakka OK... it was a long time coming, but here it is. I have owned my Quarter/Morgan cross, Duelli for over 10 years… He is now 14. A few years ago, Duelli and I had a bad accident. The details of the accident aren’t important – the accident was 99.9% my fault (they usually are)… Long story...

Yesterday was a big day for Firsts... Lisa had her inaugural ride on our Show Mare, MS Sasha. Randy started working with her 3 weeks ago to get her started under saddle. I was so thrilled... She was GOLDEN, absolutely perfect! Thanks Randy!!

Earlene Lorts
I was introduced to Working Equitation this weekend at the show. Had a great time! Fun and challenging. Made some new friends and learned more about Western Dressage - Kudos to Randy and Carbon for taking 1st Place with their 2nd Level Dressage test - an awesome sight to behold -...

Alex MacRae
BCS Smashing Sucess (CodY) was shown alot as a 2 & 3 yr old. He is well trained and because I didn't spend enough time riding him he lost his work ethic and I think he was bored of doing work in the arena.....Randy showed me a new way of asking for a change of gait that would take...

Cheryl Haaren She has turned out to be an awesome girl! She did so well at Mt Adams this last summer with all the blown down trees and some not so perfect terrain. She was supposed to be for my husband, but I think she is mine!

Kaylin Wright
So I'm sitting here thinkin about a million and one things quiet literally... Rethinking about some of the conversations we had at work today and I would just like to let everyone know I have one of the best bosses ever. Not only does Randy have an amazing gift with horses, he...

"I think I demonstrated that when I whole-heartedly jumped in and did everything Randy told me to do at the clinic - much of which was totally counter to what I had been learning in classical dressage. And, did I learn a TON? YES! Was it great for Fiona? YES! Will I...

Carol Lewis Franklin
Thank You Randy,YES i love her so much. She is my sanity. Dazzle is a 20 yr old Standardbred Mare, retired pacer. I have had her fir 3 years. i'm not quite sure how to say she helped me with horsemanship, she has helped me grow as a person, riding her and spending time...

Sonia Richardson Randy, it does not matter what a low life cyber bullie thinks as long as you respect yourself and the animals you work with. These horses leave you with a new purpose in life not to be left out in the cold unwanted and unfed. You have trained them for a winning job and their owners...

Dianne wrote: "Thank you Horseshoe Ranch, Randy Byers for another day of training. Everyone had a great time & enjoyed the beautiful weather, the amazing hospitality and the expert instruction. Once again, my brain is fried!

Mindy Lee Roland
Thank you. I found your website looking for western dressage videos. I am very interested in WD and have been trying to learn as much as I can so your site was very helpful. I would like to eventually try it with some of our horses. Just wanted to thank you for putting up...

Dana D Kesselringthanks Randy for all your help in the year 2013, I have to tell you that you have given me whole new feeling about my horse training, I am so happy I found you, your methods are working fabulously for me, thank you so much and I look forward the 2014 and all I have to learn from your...

Darla Strickland
I've been around horses from the when I was a baby my grandpa an dad had plow horses an my uncle had an brother had just ridin horses I guess u can say .. An yea if u haven't figured it out yet I'm just a country redneck girl rasin a ten yr boy ... An when I saw u...

Heather C. Hayes
It was a pleasure meeting you and your amazing horse this weekend! Thanks for letting me get on him! Hope to see ya at the next show! (And why are we awake?!? Horse people are insane!)